Tai Chi – The Peace Loving Martial Art
Hard to believe that those slow motion, graceful and balletic movements that one sees every day in parks around the world, as Tai Chi devotees prepare themselves for the day, when sped up, are one of the most effective self defense disciplines the world has ever seen.
With its distinctive grace and flowing movements, Tai Chi Chuan is a popular form of anger management and relaxation as it provides an effective antidote to the stresses of a competitive society. Many people practice Tai Chi solely for its benefits to health and as a means to relieve aggression and calm the mind.
However, as the name implies (Tai Chi Chuan translates as Supreme Ultimate Fist) Tai Chi is also an effective martial art and in the hands of a qualified master, it is without equal. To achieve this level of understanding takes many years of dedicated study and practice. The majority of students however use it solely as a calming exercise regime.
“Through the study of Tai Chi, we learn not to rely on external strength and aggression in order to overcome opponents and obstacles but rather we learn to apply the principles such as yielding to overcome the unyielding, softness to overcome the hard. As the body gradually learns to soften and yield the mind becomes open and flexible.”
The increased openness and sensitivity, combined with the understanding of yielding and the ability to calmly focus one’s intention in a spontaneous manner, lead to greater connection with the environment and others in one’s life. A clear perception of the ‘heart of the matter’ develops – this in turn increases our ability to defuse situations that might normally lead to open conflict. Tai Chi teaches us mediation and the possibility of a peaceful solution to any problem.
Consistent and diligent practice will restore one’s mind and character to its original state of integrity. Tai Chi reconnects the mind to the body, the conscious to the unconscious and the individual to his or her environment. It reveals the battle within us and teaches, over time, a more appropriate and natural way of being. In essence it relaxes us.
Combining the grace of flowing movement, a centered mind and a focus on connecting that mind with the body and spirit impresses me deeply and I tend to disregard the potentially violent self defense aspect and concentrate solely on the beauty of the flow and the inner peace that evolves from that.
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